Automobile license plate



k Aug-.20, 1946- l 4 F. J. GANTNIE 2,406,286

AUTOMOBILE LICENSE PLATE v Filed Nov. 3, 1944 Sheets-Shea#l l,

Inventor Aug.4 20, 1946.4 F, J, GANTNlER 2,406,286

AUTOMOBILE LICENSE PLATE Filed Nov. 3, 1944 2 sheets-sheet 2 l y l FM4V k,

/Qf By l Patented Aug. 20, 1946 AUTOMOBILE LICENSE PLATE Frank J. Gantnier, Binghamton, N. Y., assignor of one-half to Robert F. Gantnier, Binghamton,

Application November 3, 1944, Serial No. 561,724

' 6 Claims. (Cl. Llil-125) This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements and structural refinements in automobile license plates and tags, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a reliable and adequate assemblage of parts combining their functions in the provision of a standard or conventional plate and an annual city and year attachment therefor.

For many years it has been the customary practice oi city, State and other authorities to issue new license tags and plates yearly. Thus, each plate was self-sufficient for full licensing and identification purposes. Lately, for reasons well known to the reader, it has become the practice to utilize clips and attachments and to use the main plate from year to year. Clips and attachments have been constructed to denote, primarily, the change of the year.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an attachment such as can be used with the regulation tag or plate, said attachment serving the same purposes of makeshift clips and analogous auxiliary plates, the same embodying certain seemingly desirable, fool-proof and theftproof characteristics, whereby to provide a more complete and finished assemblage possessed of greater ornamentatio-n and utility.

More specifically, the renewable part of the attachment is adapted to be made from plastic, wood, or specially treated cardboard or other economical and readily available material, the same having a disruptable panel or ,tear strip for authorized removal when said part of the complete assemblage is to be replaced from year to year.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same: y,

Figure l is a front elevational view of a conventional metal or equivalent license plate or tag equipped with the annually renewable city and year attachment constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Figure 2 is a top edge view of the structure seen in Figure 1 with the detachable or disruptable panel being partly torn oil.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the parts remaining after said panel is completely peeled off.

Figure 4 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the complete assemblage seen in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detailing view of a fragmentary type taken approximately on the plane of the line 5-5 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional View through the bodily removable attachment per se.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the insert or core strip seen in the attachment appearing in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a detail view of a retaining clip forming a part of the complete structure,

Figure 9 is an enlarged cross section on the plane of the line 9-9 of Figure 4.

Referring now to the complete assemblage ina general way, the usual plate or tag-supporting bracket or fixture is indicated at I0 (see Figs. 2, 4 and 5). The regular or customary license plate I I is bolted thereon by strong steel or equivalent bolts I2 whosethreaded Shanks are longer than usual in order to accommodate the present invention. Threaded on each shank is a special conical nut I3 whose cylindrical body portion is provided with an endless groove forming a keyway which serves in a manner to be hereinafter described. Suitable washers are interposed, as at I4, between the nut, bolt and plate II. Thus, it will be seen that the plate II is bolted on the bracket I0 by special bolts, special nuts and associated washers. Once the plate is applied, these parts I2, I3 and I4 remain constantly in place, it being the thought that the plate I I is a lifetime proposition, lasting at least for the life of a car. It is valso evident, in this connection, that the owner of the car has a constant license number from year to year.

.The auxiliary part or attachment is indicated at I5, and, as before mentioned, may be made of plastic, wood, some suitable composition, or even waterproof cardboard. This is of general rectangular form and of a length less than the main tag. In fact,` its end portions extend only slightly beyond the bolt and nut mounts. This part I 5 is provided with a bore which extends completely therethrough, the same being open at opposite ends and is made up of a main base or body portion I6, and a disruptable, removable or tear strip I'I, the latter having an extension I8 forming a linger grip at one end, and also having longitudinally spaced rectangular projections I9. These` are seen in Figure as socketed on their inner sides to provide the clearance space for the shank of the bolt, extended end portion of the nut, as seen in Figure 5. At the point of juncture between the extension I9 and the strip ID, there is an undercut groove 20 which serves as a pocket to accommodate one of the keying clips 2l, as detailed in Figure 8. The clip is in the form of av split ring 22 of resilient or uivalent wire having Y its free ends 23 directed inwardly and fashioned to serve as keepers, thesekeepers being fitted into the keying grooves formed in the body portion of the aforementioned nuts i3.

An insertible and removable metal strip, this being a permanent and re-usable part, is indi-v cated at 24, and this slips into one end of the with a lateral nger grip 25 to facilitate handling and also provided at longitudinally spaced points 'j v with nut-receiving holes 25, these "snugly surroundingthe nut, or nuts, as brought out in Figure 5.

` the two `,bolts I2, lock washers Idand a special assembling and clamping nuts I3. yBe sure to center the main plate II and 'align the bolts so' that the holes 26 inY theaforementioned metal strip 24 Will slip over'the nuts before tightening. Next, place the spring clips 2l in the'pockets 2E! of the attachment I5, after which slide the metal strip V2li into Ythe `bore or 'slot provided therefor,

being careful to keep the spring clips between said metal strip and the projections I9 against which the spring clips rest. Then, place the rubber gaskets 2l in the holes 26a to rest against the bridging apertured portions of the metal strip i 24. Next, place the holes 25 over the nuts I3 and pressthe parts into place, being sure to press l hard -enough to engage the spring clips with the keying grooves in the nuts I3. There may be a slight .back pressure from the rubber gaskets, these'being inserted for that purpose and also to prevent rattling.V

f To' change the'license plate from one year to anotheigall that is necessary is to catch hold of the finger pieceV i8 Vand to exert a ripping. or tearing action thereon to disrupt and peel out the panel or tear strip Il'.- This can be done easily becausethis strip is either made thin for that purpose or scored along itslongitudinal edges, as indicated at 28 (see Fig. Q) When this tear strip Il is completely removed, it will expose the spring clips and they can then be removed. rIhe main plate is left in place, which means that it is not necessary to loosen or move the bolts out of aligm* ment. VAll parts but l5 are re-used. It might be added that if 24 is considered as a part. of I5, it is not to be construed as such, for it being a permanent metal part, it can be used over, if desired. All that the car user needs to obtain is the part I5 minus the insertible and removable strip 24, if he already has one from the previous l year.V The installation of the next year attach' vthe bolts are concealed in such a way that the It is to be mentionedV atthis time that y the bodyV portion I6 of the attachmentris pro-` bore in the attachment l5, as brought out to best l* 1- advantage in Figure 6. vIt is provided Vin one end'` A of the alleged features of merit and novelty suf-V plate must be destroyed it. Third, it will prevent people with two or more cars from shifting licenses from one car to another. Fourth, there are many new types of 1icense plates that have many advantages, but are not usedbecause they are too expensive. Only one main plate is necessary for the life of the vehicle, and the annual auxiliary plate or attachment can be made of an inexpensiveV material. Fifth, the latter can be made of plastic, fiber, waterproof cardboard, or any cheap ma-v -terial.` Y Y A'carefulY consideration ofthe foregoing description in Vconjunction with'the invention as illustrated inY the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression ficient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed. Y

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

I claim:

l. In a structural assemblage ofthe class dcscribed, in combination, a relatively stationary supporting bracket, a license plate of a convenn tional type, bolts passing through apertures in the bracket and plate, said bolts having long shanks extending outwardly, and clamping'and attachment accommodation nuts on the Shanks of said bolts, said nuts being provided with` marginal endless grooves serving as keyways to accommodate special attac-hment--retaining keys. and an attachment adapted be mounted on the license plate within the marginalbordeins thereof, said attachment being provided with expansible and contractible retaining keys having portions to t into the keyways in said nuts.

2. In a structural assemblage of the class described, in combination, a bracket, a plate, bolts extending through the bracket and plate, nuts onl said bolts, said nuts having retention grooves formed therein, an attachment bearing the city and year insignia, said attachment being adapted to be replaced Yfrom year to year and being provided at opposite ends with bolt and nut accommodation holes, said holes being adapted to in said holes and having portions adapted to ce snapped into the grooves in saidnuts.

3. ln a structural assemblage of the class de scribed, in combination, a bracket, a plate, bolts extending through the bracket and plate, on said bolts, said nuts having retention grooves formed therein, an attachment bearing the city and year insignia, said attachinentbeim adapted to be replaced from year to year and being provided at opposite ends with bolil and nut accommodation holes, said holes being adapted toaccominodate spring clips, spring clips mounted in said holes and having portions adapted to be snapped into the grooves in said nuts, said attach, ment also including a removable metal strip hai-*- ing holes to snugly embrace the nuts, said strip being held in place by said spring clips.

4. An attachment for a conventional license plate adapted to contain and display changeable city and year insignia for use in association with license numbers carried by the plate comprising a body constructed from light weight readily disposable and inexpensive stock, said body being provided at opposite ends with bolt and nut accommodation holes, a readily removable tear strip on the face thereof having outstandingV proor damaged in removing 5 jections socketed, with the sockets in alignmen with said bolt and nut holes, said body also having a longitudinal centrally arranged bore extending longitudinally therethrough, and a removable metal strip insertable into said bore, said strip being provided adjacent opposite ends with nut embracing holes in alignment with the bolt and nut holes in said body.

5, A permanent fool-proof and theft-prooi" identification plate with an auxiliary indication attachment for an automobile or the like comv prising, in combination, a standard license plate capable of being permanently fastened to a con ventional plate supporting bracket, bolts with associated washers and conical nuts, said nuts each having a cylindrical body portion provided With an endless groove serving as a keyway to accommodate special attachment retaining keys, an auxiliary attachment indicating the changeable data on the said permanent plate-like annual and location changes, Said auxiliary atatchment comprising a main base portion and a disruptable tear strip, the latter provided with an extenu sion forming a iin-ger-grip and with longitudinally spaced hollow projections corresponding in number with the number of said bolts, said auxiliary attachment being provided with bolt holes extending therethrough, said hollow projections providing clearance pockets for the Shanks of bolts and for the extended portions of the said nuts, keying clips, each clip being in the form of a split ring having its free ends directed in- Wardly and fashioned to serve as keepers adapted to snap into the keying grooves in said nuts, said main base portion having at one end a lateral nger-grip and being provided at longitudinally spaced points with bolt and nut-receiving holes snugly surrounding said nuts, the body portion of the said auxiliary attachment being provided with bolt and nut holes in alignment with the said bolt and nut-receiving holes, all the said elements in associated mechanical combination keeping the bolts concealed in such a Way that the license plate cannot be removed without considerahle damage to it, rendering it unusable.

6. An attachment for a conventional license plate adapted to contain and display changeable city and year insignia for use and association with license numbers carried by the plates corn prising a body constructed from lightweight readily disposable and inexpensive stock, said body being provided at its-opposite ends with bolt and nut accommodation holes,` a readily removable tear strip on the face thereof having out-- standing projections provided with sockets in alignment with said bolt and nut holes, said body also having a longitudinal centrally arranged bore extending longitudinally therethrough, this to accommodate a removable metal strip pro-- vided at opposite ends with nut embracing holes in alignment with the bolt and nut holes in the body.

' FRANK J. GANTNIER 

